Col Thomas J. Connally, USMC (Ret.) 
 

Colonel Connally was born and raised in San Diego,

California. He graduated with Merit from the U.S.

Naval Academy and was commissioned a Second Lieutenant of Marines on 25 May 1983. He subsequently attended TBS and the Field Artillery Officer Basic Course, graduating as an Honor Graduate in August 1984.

His experience includes service as: 

Operational: 

LNO, FDO, Plt Cdr, XO Battery N, 5th Bn, 10th Marines, Aug 84 to Feb 87.

11th Marines Regt FDO, during Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm, 

Commanding Officer, Battery C, 1/11, and Regimental Assistant Operations Officer and Director, Artillery Training School, from November 1990 to May 1993; 

Commanding Officer Marine Corps Security Force Company, NAS, Keflavik, Iceland and Joint Security Force Commander from June 1996 to June 1998; 

XO, 5th Battalion, 11th Marines, subsequently as 11^th Marines Operations Officer, June 98 to June 2000

Division Training Officer, AC/S G-3, 1st Marine Division, from June 2000 to June 2001; 

Commanding Officer, 3rd Battalion, 11th Marines (Provisional MP)(Rein) from July 2003 to Oct 2004, during Operation Iraqi Freedom II in Ramadi, Iraq

III MEF Force Fires Coordinator from July 2006 to July 2007, concurrently serving as 3d MEB G3

Commanding Officer, Headquarters Battalion, 3d Marine Division, and Commander, Camps Courtney and McTureous July 2007 to July 2009. 

Staff and Non-Operational:

OpsO and OSO, RS Des Moines, Ia. Mar 87 to Apr 90

Student, Artillery Advanced Course (Captains Course) May 90 to Sept 90

Head, Enlisted Career Counseling HQMC, June 93 to June 96

Strategic Analyst, CMC Strategic Initiatives Group, HQMC, July 2001 to May 2003

Student, U. S. Naval War College from Nov 2004 to Nov 2005, MA in National Security and Strategic Studies

CNO Fellow, Chief of Naval Operations Strategic Studies Group XXV from September 2005 to July 2006

Director, CMC Strategic Vision Group from July 2009 to January 2010

Chief of Staff, Joint IED Defeat Organization Jan 2010 to Nov 2011

Deputy Director, Wargaming Division, MCWL from Nov 2011 to 1 June 2013

Colonel Connally spent five years in the defense industry as a Director for Camber Corporation and R&M Technology Solutions.  He started Connally Consulting in 2018 and authored Becoming a Leader: A Roadmap for My Daughter and the Aspiring Leader. Colonel Connally is a Leadership Coach and resides in Waxahachie, Tx.

Colonel Connally received many awards, but his greatest accomplishment is as a husband to Annie for 33 years and a father to Michaela Ann, Major, USMC, Naval Academy 2016, and Jack, 1st Lieutenant, USMC, Texas A&M University, 2023. 

Colonel Connally's career reflects the core values of Honor, Courage, and Commitment, and stands as a testament to the professionalism and warrior ethos of the United States Marine Corps.

Chad Althiser, Major USMC (ret.)

Second Lieutenant Althiser reported to 3d Battalion, 11th Marines in December 2001 and was assigned to Mike Battery. He served as a Forward Observer with Company C, 1st Battalion, 7th Marines, deploying to Okinawa as part of the Unit Deployment Program. He was later designated as the Guns Platoon Commander.

In January 2003, prior to the battalion’s deployment in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom, First Lieutenant Althiser was reassigned to the Battalion Operations Section, where he served as a Fire Direction Officer during OIF I. Following the unit’s return, he was assigned as the Executive Officer of Lima Battery and redeployed in February 2004 for OIF II. During this deployment, the battalion conducted provisional security operations throughout Al Anbar Province.

After completing a tour with Marine Corps Security Forces and graduating from Expeditionary Warfare School, Captain Althiser returned to 3d Battalion, 11th Marines in September 2008 and assumed command of India Battery. He deployed in support of Operation Enduring Freedom from April to December 2009. Following that deployment, he relinquished command and served as the Battalion Logistics Officer.

Major Althiser's career reflects the core values of Honor, Courage, and Commitment, and stands as a testament to the professionalism and warrior ethos of the United States Marine Corps.

Master Gunnery Sergeant Brendan Bailey USMC (ret.)


Master Gunnery Sergeant Bailey joined the Marine Corps in April 1984 and had a long distinguished history connected to being a 0848 Marine.  In 2002, he was assigned to Headquarters Battery, 3rd Battalion, 11th Marines, Twentynine Palms, California, where he served as the Battalion Operations Chief.

In 2003, he deployed to Iraq in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom.

MGySgt Bailey participated in the pre deployment training for the 2004 OIF deployment however received PCS orders to 1/14 prior to 3/11 deploying.

In 2010, he was transferred to Headquarters Battery, 11th Marines, Camp Pendleton, CA, where he was assigned as the Regimental Operations Chief.

In April 2011, he deployed to Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom as the Target Processing Chief.  Returning to 11th Marines in November 2011, he was again assigned as the Regimental Operations Chief.

Master Gunnery Sergeant Bailey’s career reflects the core values of Honor, Courage, and Commitment, and stands as a testament to the professionalism and warrior ethos of the United States Marine Corps.

FIRST SERGEANT GILBERT J. CONTRERAS, USMC (Ret.)

“Guilty of Being a Marine”

First Sergeant Gilbert J. Contreras was born on 16 October 1963 in Los Angeles, California. He graduated from John Glenn High School in Norwalk, California in June 1981. Following graduation, he continued his education at Pacific Union College in St. Helena, California, and Humboldt State University in Arcata, California from September 1981 through March 1983. He enlisted in the Marine Corps on 10 March 1983 through the Delayed Entry Program as an open contract, receiving a waiver for prior decisions made before his enlistment.

On 23 March 1983, Private Contreras stepped onto the Yellow Footprints at Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego, where he was assigned to Platoon 1033, Company “A,” 1st Recruit Training Battalion. He graduated recruit training on 17 June 1983. Over the course of more than 21 years of honorable and faithful service, spanning operations in over 30 countries during both peacetime and combat, he served alongside some of the finest men and women our nation has to offer. Throughout his career, he witnessed firsthand the resilience, discipline, and unwavering commitment of Marines operating under demanding conditions across multiple continents.

On 10 September 2002, First Sergeant Contreras was assigned as the Battery First Sergeant for Lima Battery, 3rd Battalion, 12th Marines. In January 2003, he deployed with Regimental Combat Team 7 (RCT-7) in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom, serving in combat operations through the summer of 2003. Upon returning to Twentynine Palms, California, Lima Battery participated in two Combined Arms Exercises (CAX), maintaining a high level of combat readiness.

In October 2003, First Sergeant Contreras volunteered for deployment with Mike Battery, 3rd Battalion, 11th Marines under the Unit Deployment Program. During this assignment, the unit completed a double Combined Arms Exercise before deploying to Okinawa, Japan. While forward deployed, they conducted extensive live-fire training at Camp Fuji on mainland Japan and prepared for potential contingency operations in the Philippines and Guam in response to emerging terrorist threats against U.S. interests.

On 31 August 2004, after 21 years, 5 months, and 8 days of dedicated service to the Marine Corps and the United States of America, First Sergeant Contreras retired.

His personal decorations include the Meritorious Service Medal; Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal with three gold stars (fourth award) and Combat Distinguishing Device; Army Commendation Medal; Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal with gold star (second award); Army Achievement Medal; Air Force Achievement Medal; Good Conduct Medal with silver and bronze stars; National Defense Service Medal with bronze star; Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal; Humanitarian Service Medal; Combat Action Ribbon; Presidential Unit Citation; Joint Meritorious Unit Award; Air Force Outstanding Unit Award; Sea Service Deployment Ribbon with three bronze stars; Overseas Service Ribbon with two bronze stars; and the Marine Security Guard Ribbon.

First Sergeant Contreras’s career reflects the enduring core values of Honor, Courage, and Commitment, and stands as a testament to the professionalism, leadership, and warrior ethos of the United States Marine Corps.

Master Sergeant David Mann, USMC (Ret.)

Master Sergeant David Mann began his distinguished Marine Corps career in October 1999, reporting as a Private First Class to Lima Battery, 3rd Battalion, 12th Marines, in Twentynine Palms, California. As a proud Plank Owner, he held a focused role during the transition from Lima Battery, 3/12 to Mike Battery, 3/11, contributing to unit readiness and mission accomplishment as directed.

In February 2000, PFC Mann deployed to Camp Hansen, Okinawa, Japan, where he quickly demonstrated adaptability and commitment to mission success. During this deployment, he participated in critical training operations at Camp Fuji, enhancing artillery proficiency and combat effectiveness. Promoted to Lance Corporal, he cross-decked to Kilo Battery to fill key manpower requirements and took part in multinational exercises, including Operation Cobra Gold in Thailand—one of the largest joint exercises in the Indo-Pacific region.

Returning stateside in February 2001, LCpl Mann continued his service with Lima Battery, 3rd Battalion, 11th Marines. In October 2001, he deployed in support of Operation Bright Star, training alongside allied forces in a complex multinational environment.

In 2002, Corporal Mann’s leadership and tactical proficiency earned him assignments to India Battery and subsequently Headquarters Battery, where he served in the Battalion Combat Operations Center (COC). In this critical role, he directly supported combat operations during Operation Enduring Freedom and the opening phase of Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF I), contributing to operational planning, coordination, and execution in high-tempo combat environments.

Following his return to the United States with the Advance Party, Corporal Mann was selected for Marine Corps recruiting duty. He attended Recruiter School at Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego, marking the beginning of a highly successful recruiting and training career.

MSgt Mann’s rolls after 3/11”

Recruiting Duty Assignments

2004–2006
Canvassing Recruiter, Recruiting Sub-Station (RSS) Tucson, Recruiting Station (RS) Phoenix

2006–2009
Staff Noncommissioned Officer in Charge (SNCOIC), RSS North Tucson, East Tucson, and Mesa

2009–2012
Basic Recruiter Instructor and Career Recruiter Instructor, Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego

2012–2014
Assistant Recruiter Instructor and Operations Chief, Recruiting Station Salt Lake City

2014–2017
Assistant Officer Procurement Chief and District Training Team Member, 9th Marine Corps District

2017–2019
Marine Corps Recruiting Information Support System (MCRISS) Team Member and National Officer Selection Officer Trainer, National Training Team, Marine Corps Recruiting Command, Quantico, Virginia

Master Sergeant Mann’s career reflects the core values of Honor, Courage, and Commitment, and stands as a testament to the professionalism and warrior ethos of the United States Marine Corps.

Marines

Thank you for choosing the Plaza Hotel & Casino for the 3/11 & 3/12 OIF OEF REUNION! 

We appreciate the opportunity to welcome your group. 

MAKING RESERVATIONS

A dedicated website is now available for your attendees to book their hotel rooms online.

Reservations can be made starting today 2/25/26 for  11/8 to 11/11. 2026 

The last day to make Reservations  with this discount will be 11/2/2026.     
**** Rates displayed online will include 13% tax. ****

$65 per room plus tax. 

Booking Website:https://book.passkey.com/go/SOIFOEF

Group Code for Call in: SOIFOEF 

 Make reservations 1-800-634-6575

Open 

Mon-Fri 8am-10pm 

Sat-Sun 5am-10pm.

If you have any questions or challenges with the rooms portion or reservations process, please reach out to me and I’ll be the primary contact to assist.

Thank You,

Ryan White

Group Reservations Manager

Sales & CORE Arena

Plaza Hotel & Casino

p. 702.386.2570 
f. 702.386.2569 

ryan.white@plazahotelcasino.com